Self-closing hinge



Aug. 20, 1968 L. YOUNGDALE SELF-CLOSING HINGE F1 i7 i v i:

Fi e-i Filed July 26, 1966 0, 1968 L. YOUNGDALE 3,397,422

SELF-CLOSING HINGE Filed y 1 6 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 do. a.

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IN vew r012. L 0015 POUNGDALE 724, Mfg

United States Patent 3,397,422 SELF-CLOSING HINGE Louis Youngdale, 302 Crescent Drive, Vista, Calif. 92083 Filed July 26, 1966, Ser. No. 567,939 9 Claims. (Cl. 16-180) This invention relates to cabinet hardware, and particularly to hinge structures having a latch feature whereby the provision of a separate cabinet latch is obviated.

Builders are becoming increasingly aware of the time that finish carpenters take in installing pulls, latches, hinges, etc. Consequently hinges having self-closing or selflatching features are becoming increasingly popular even though hinges of this general type have been known for many years. One popular type of device utilizes a cam latch formed along the knuckle of one hinge element and a spring pressed roller unit mounted by the other hinge element. There are objections to this arrangement, First, the assembly of the spring is quite tedious and diflicult. Second, even if the spring is arranged to parallel the hinge axis, it necessarily occupies some space. Consequently the hinge structure is quite bulky and unattractive. In some instances special closure elements are provided to hide the spring and roller parts.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a cabinet hinge having a self-closing or self-latching feature free of the foregoing disadvantages. For this purpose, I provide a latch structure that utilizes the hinge pin itself as the spring element. One entire hinge leaf, itself having no movable parts, serves as the spring pressed detent cooperable with a cam surface formed along the other hinge leaf. The cam surface is formed as an unobtrusive flat; the hinge structure is no more bulky than a conventional hinge; the hinge is easily assembled in a conventional manner.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hinge structure of this character that can be embodied in various flush or offset type designs.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of several embodiments of the invention. For this purpose, there are shown a few forms in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the present specification, and which drawings are true scale. These forms will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a fragmentary part of a cabinet structure on which is mounted a hinge incorporating the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken along a plane corresponding to line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view taken along a plane corresponding to line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are views similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating the hinge and door in alternate positions;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view taken along a plane corresponding to line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an aligned sectional view taken along the plane indicated by line 7--7 of FIG. 5; and

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are sectional views similar to FIG. 2 each illustrating modified forms of the present invention.

FIG. 1 there is illustrated a corner of a cabinet 10. The cabinet includes a frame member 12 providing an opening 14. A door 16 may be moved to an abutting relationship relative to the edges of the opening 14. The

3,397,422 Patented Aug. 20, 1968 door 16 is mounted for opening and closing movement by the aid of two or more hinge structures, one of which 18 is illustrated in FIG. 1.

The hinge structure 18 includes a pair of hinge leaves 20 and 22. The hinge leaf 20 is secured to the frontal surface of the frame 12 as by the aid of a pair of wood screws 24 and 26. The leaf 22 is fastened to the inner surface of the door 16 as by the aid of wood screws 28, 30 and 32.

The hinge leaf 20 has ears 34 and 36 (see also FIGS. 3, 6 and 7) bent outwardly at right angles to the plane of the leaf 20 to form a clevis. A resilient hinge pin 38 has ends passing through apertures in the cars 34 and 36. Enlargements at the ends secure the pin against axial movement.

The companion leaf 22 has a knuckle portion 40 (see also FIG. 2) of substantially U-shape rather than the conventional circular configuration. The outer or free arm of the knuckle 40 is slightly shorter than the opposite arm. The U-shaped knuckle 40 encompasses the hinge pin 38 and has sufficient clearance between the ears 34 and 36 to permit angular movement about the pin.

An elongated strip 42 made of Teflon or other suitable plastic material having good wear resisting characteristics is force fitted into the U-shaped knuckle 40. As shown in FIG. 2 the strip 42 has a lobe portion 44 that overlies the edge of the shorter arm 41. The outer surface 46 of the strip 42 slopes inwardly from the rounded crest or nose of the lobe 44.

As shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate portion of the strip 42 on its inner side has a bowed or hump portion 48. The central portion of the pin 38 is thus confined between the strip 42 and the trough or bottom 50 of the knuckle 40. The ends of the strip 42 are relieved to provide substantial clearance with respect to the ends of the pin 38. The entire hinge leaf 22 together with the knuckle 40 and strip 42 may thus be moved in a direction parallel to the arms of the knuckle 48, as illustrated in FIG. 7. This movement is resiliently resisted by the hinge pin 38, which in its unflexed condition is straight. The hinge pin tends to restore the knuckle together with the strip 42 to a position in which the pin is straight.

Flexure of the pin 38 results when the door 16 is swung between the open position of FIG. 4 and the closed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 4 the pin is straight and unflexed, and the axis of the knuckle is aligned with the apertures of ears 34 and 36. With the knuckle axis coincident, as in FIG. 4, the nose 44 will describe an are that intersects a flat 52 located on that portion of the hinge plate 20 that extends between the clevis cars 34 and 36. The angle of intersection is small. When the fiat 52 is engaged, the knuckle 40 and the central portion of the pin 38 are cammed outwardly until a position of maximum flexure (FIG. 5) is reached. In this position the door is nearly, but not quite closed. As the door 16 passes the position of maximum pin flexure, the resilience of the hinge pin carries the door to the closed position of FIG. 2. This closed position is determined by stop pad 54 engaging the frame 12 on the 0pposite side. In the closed position (FIGS. 2 and 3) the pin 38 is still slightly flexed. Accordingly there is a slight positive force tending to maintain the door 16 in the closed position. Since the outer surface 46 of the strip slopes inwardly, only the rounded crest of the lobe 44 engages the flat 52. This ensures that the closed position of the door is determined by the pad 54 rather than by any fiat on the lobe 44.

In the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 8, a pair of hinge leaves 60 and 62 are provided for fiush mounting of the door 64 relative to the cabinet frame 66. In this instance the hinge leaf 62 has an intermediate offset portion 68 that falls along the edge of the door 64 for appropriate orientation of the hinge knuckle 70. 'The inge leaf 62 has a portion 72 secured to the inside of the door 64 as by screw 74. The companion hinge leaf has a portion 76 attached along the edge of the frame 66. The hinge leaf provides a clevis for receiving the hinge pin 78. Between the ears forming the clevis is a flat 80 for cooperation with the nose 82 of the strip 84 as in the previous form.

In the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9 a hinge leaf 20 is provided as before but in this instance the hinge leaf 86 has an offset portion for mounting in the rabbeted corner of the door 88.

In the form illustrated in FIG. 10, the strip 90 has a portion 92 intermediate its length that is operated as at 94 to accommodate the hinge pin 96. In this manner the wear between the strip and the hinge pin is more evenly distributed. The free arm 98 of the knuckle 100 has a spring detent 102 that cooperates with a recess 104 to hold the strip 90 in place.

The strip 90 has a cam lobe 108 that cooperates with a relatively rigid arcuate cam part 110 formed on the leaf 112. A recess 114 provides a seat for the cam part 110 after the lobe 108 has passed. This configuration provides a more positive snap action than in the previous forms.

In all other respects the forms illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are similar to the form described in FIGS. 1 through 7.

The hinge can be designed so that the door carries the pin mounting leaf; operation will be the same.

The hinge, even though it incorporates a latch, is no more bulky than a conventional hinge. The latch parts are concealed from view and the hinge is unobtrusive.

The inventor claims:

1. A cabinet hinge having two leaves, each of said leaves having provisions for attachment to relatively swingable cabinet elements; a hinge pin made of resilient material and having both ends secured to and mounted by one of said leaves; the other of said leaves having a knuckle extending about an intermediate portion of said hinge pin for movement about the hinge pin as an axis,

and having clearance relative to the ends of said hinge pin to permit lateral deflection of said knuckle and said other leaf with accompanying flexure of the intermediate portion of said hinge pin; said hinge pin resiliently resisting such deflection and determining a normal mutual axis of angular movement of said leaves; said leaves being movable at least in one relative angular direction from an angular position corresponding to closed position; and companion cam means carried by the leaves respectively and operative to cause deflection of said knuckle as said leaves closely approach said closed position; said cam means producing maximum deflection when said leaves are away from said closed position; said cam means being positioned substantially to be concealed by said knuckle when said leaves are in closed position.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said companion cam means comprises first, a flat formed on said one leaf and located beneath the hinge pin, and second, a lobed member extending along the knuckle.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said companion cam means comprises first, a flat formed on said one leaf and located beneath the hinge pin, and second, a plastic strip extending along and secured to the knuckle.

4. A cabinet hinge having two leaves, each of said leaves having provisions for attachment to relatively swingable cabinet elements; one of said leaves having 4 spaced ears; a hinge pin made of resilient material and having ends attached respectively to said ears; said ears defining a normal hinge axis; the other of said leaves having a U-shaped knuckle extending about said pin and accommodated between said ears; a strip extending along the opening of said U-shaped knuckle and having on its inner side, a projecting portion intermediate its length engaging said hinge pin and confining the corresponding intermediate portion of said hinge pin between the bottom of said U-shaped knuckle and said projecting portion; said knuckle together with said strip and the intermediate portion of said hinge pin being capable of lateral movement relative to the ends of said hinge pin in a direction parallel to the sides of said U-shaped knuckle with accompanying flexure of said intermediate portion of said hinge pin; said hinge pin resiliently resisting such deflection; said hinge pin when unflexed determining an axis of movement of said knuckle corresponding to said normal axis; said leaves being movable at least in one direction from an angular position corresponding to closed position; said one leaf having a flat surface extending between said ears and beneath said hinge pin; said strip having a cam lobe cooperable with said flat surface to cause deflection of said knuckle as said leaves approach said closed position, said lobe and said flat surface being so proportioned and positioned as to cause maximum deflection of said knuckle at a place spaced from said closed position.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 4 in which said strip is made of plastic material having good wear resisting characteristics.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 4 in which said lobe and said flat are so proportioned and positioned as to cause a slight degree of deflection of said knuckle when said hinge leaves are in closed position.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 4 in which said strip is fitted into said U-shaped knuckle.

8. In combination: a cabinet frame; a door; a hinge having two leaves respectively attached to the frame and the door; a hinge pin made of resilient material and having both ends secured to and mounted by one of said leaves; the other of said leaves having a knuckle fitted to an intermediate portion of said hinge pin for movement about the hinge pin as an axis, and having clearance relative to the ends of said hinge pin to permit lateral deflection of said knuckle and said other leaf with accompanying flexure of the intermediate portion of said hinge pin; said hinge pin resiliently resisting such deflection and determining a normal mutual axis of angular movement of the leaves; said leaves being movable to an angular position in which said door is in closed position; and companion cam means carried by the leaves respectively and operative to cause deflection of said knuckle as said leaves approach said closed position; said cam means producing maximum deflection when said leaves are away from said closed position; said cam means being positioned substantially to be concealed by said knuckle when said door is in closed position.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 8 in which said cam means are so positioned and proportioned as to cause a slight deflection of said knuckle in said closed position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1965 MacDonald l6180 6/1966 MacDonald 16-l80 

1. A CABINET HINGE HAVING TWO LEAVES, EACH OF SAID LEAVES HAVING PROVISIONS FOR ATTACHMENT TO RELATIVELY SWINGABLE CABINET ELEMENTS; A HINGE PIN MADE OF RESILIENT MATERIAL AND HAVING BOTH ENDS SECURED TO AND MOUNTED BY ONE OF SAID LEAVES; THE OTHER OF SAID LEAVES HAVING A KNUCKLE EXTENDING ABOUT AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION OF SAID HINGE PIN FOR MOVEMENT ABOUT THE HINGE PIN AS AN AXIS, AND HAVING CLEARANCE RELATIVE TO THE ENDS OF SAID HINGE PIN TO PERMIT LATERAL DEFLECTION OF SAID KNUCKLE AND SAID OTHER LEAF WITH ACCOMPANYING FLEXTURE OF THE INTERMEDIATE PORTION OF SAID HINGE PIN; SAID HINGE PIN RESILIENTLY RESISTING SUCH DEFLECTION AND DETERMINING A NORMAL MUTUAL AXIS OF ANGULAR MOVEMENT OF SAID LEAVES; SAID LEAVES BEING MOVABLE AT LEAST IN ONE RELATIVE ANGULAR DIRECTION FROM AN ANGULAR POSITION CORRESPONDING TO CLOSED POSITION; AND COMPANION CAM MEANS CARRIED BY THE LEAVES RESPECTIVELY AND OPERATIVE TO CAUSE DEFLECTION OF SAID KNUCKLE AS SAID LEAVES CLOSELY APPROACH SAID CLOSED POSITION; SAID CAM MEANS PRODUCING MAXIMUM DEFLECTION WHEN SAID LEAVES ARE AWAY FROM SAID CLOSED POSITION; SAID CAM MEANS BEING POSITIONED SUBSTANTIALLY TO BE CONCEALED BY SAID KNUCKLE WHEN SAID LEAVES ARE IN CLOSED POSITION. 